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Press Association jobs go in cost-cutting programme

The Press Association is understood to be cutting around 30 posts as part of a cost-cutting programme across the group.

The national press agency confirmed this morning that a number of staff had left the group through a combination of natural wastage and voluntary redundancy.

Press Gazette understands that up to 20 staff have already left the organisation. A further nine post are currently under consultation.

A number of the cuts have been made to PA's video news team, however PA said it remained committed to developing its video wing.

A spokeswoman for PA told Press Gazette that in common with other media businesses the organisation had been affected by the downturn in the sector and was taking "sensible steps to ensure our businesses are operating as efficiently as possible while retaining the quality of our services".

"As part of a cost reduction programme, a number of staff have left the group through a combination of natural wastage and voluntary redundancy", the spokeswoman added.

"We are also carrying out staff consultations with regard to a small number of possible compulsory redundancies. Around nine positions are currently under consultation out of a total workforce of 1,300.

"We are confident that the quality and breadth of our editorial coverage will be unaffected. With more than 200 journalists across the UK and Ireland, the agency's wire service is well-resourced and, as our most recent survey confirmed, highly regarded by our customers."

The spokeswoman added: "Although there has been a small reduction in the number of dedicated video journalists, in line with our long-term strategy we are continuing to equip our reporters and photographers with the skills and technology to file video where appropriate, in addition to text and photos."

PA Group is a private company with 27 shareholders, most of whom are national and regional publishers, including News International, Trinity Mirror, United Business Media and Daily Mail & General Trust.